Juventus coach Antonio Conte rubbishes Didier Drogba reports

Didier Drogba: Reports suggesting striker is to join Juventus have been dismissed

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has dismissed reports the Serie A champions are on the verge of signing former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

A report in Sunday's Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper claimed Juve had made "significant progress" in their bid to sign Drogba, who the report claimed has agreed in principle to an 18-month deal.

The 34-year-old signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Shanghai Shenhua in July but the Ivory Coast international could be reconsidering his options after a disappointing start to his career in China.

However Conte insists Juventus - as well as other major clubs in Italy - are in no financial position to sign top players.

Speaking after the 3-0 win over Atalanta on Sunday which extended Juve's lead at the top of Serie A to seven points, Conte said: "Transfer talk seems disrespectful to the players in my team, especially at the current moment.

"It's a critical time as far as the economy is concerned and it's the same for several other teams.

"We won't be signing any top players because we're not in a position to. Neither us, nor other top teams in the Italian league."